romance

PURE Amore…Sweet Romance, Pure Enjoyment ™

/ Dora Hiers

PURE…the new sexy! 

So far we’ve sampled some wonderful books by Wendy Davy, Marianne Evans, and Delia Latham, all offerings from Pelican Book Group‘s newest line, Pure Amore, sweet, hope-filled romances that will leave you “satisfied and smiling.” Featuring heroes and heroines between the ages of 21-33, never married and one or both a virgin, the stories center around two flawed individuals seeking to honor God in all areas of their lives, especially in ways society doesn’t often understand or value. They top out at 45k words, petite little gems bursting with emotional and romantic depth. 


Available by subscription, Pure Amore will release one delicious romance per month in e-book, paperback, or a paperback/e-book combination for one year beginning October 1, 2014. Today, top your hot chocolate with a dollop of whipped cream and settle back to enjoy Simple Blessings and Blackberry Ridge by the awesome Mary Manners. 

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Simple Blessings
Charlene Cammon is an inspirational romance author who has lost her muse. In fact, following the failure of her own real-life romance, her muse is not just missing—it’s on life-support. Fearing she’ll never complete another book, Charlene heeds the advice of her best friend, Brynn. She leaves the city for a summer sabbatical to a remote cabin in Crestview. There, she’ll be removed from civilization and meet the book’s deadline…or so she thinks.

Gage Kenner’s life as an air-ambulance pilot is put on hold following the death of his brother. Raising his eight-year-old niece, Jenna, is more than Gage bargained for. A summer break at his cabin in Crestview might be just the ticket Gage needs to forge a bond with heartbroken Jenna. What Gage doesn’t bargain for is impetuous Charlene, who has taken up residence just over the knoll.

Jenna’s needs bring Gage and Charlie together, and Charlie learns that sometimes, it’s as fun to write a real-life romance as it is to pen one for the pages.

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Blackberry Ridge
After her parents’ deaths, Chloe Chastain leaves Blackberry Ridge to pursue a life in the city. When she’s called back to her childhood home to care for her niece as well as to oversee renovations on the century-old family home, she realizes that memories still lurk among the polished wood and sawdust.

Connor Lawson has made a successful life for himself, despite a few bumps in the road. Ensconced in the house-flipping business with a lifelong friend, he’s come upon the biggest project yet—renovating the Blackberry Ridge farmhouse where he spent long, leisurely days with Chloe Chastain.

When Connor and Chloe realize they’re tossed into the same renovations, will they manage to put past hurts behind and work together, or will the project—and their love—fail?

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Oh. My. Stars! What’s not to love about a story featuring a romance author? Love it!! And I just adore renovation stories where the heart changes along with the house, don’t you? Here’s the link to subscribe. Pop in next week when we’ll showcase Battle of the Flowers and Keepsake by suspense heavy hitter, Clare Revell. 

On My Kindle ~ His Most Suitable Bride by Renee Ryan

/ Dora Hiers
Purchase Link

About the book~
No one in Denver knows how close Callie Mitchell once came to ruin. Dowdy dresses and severe hairstyles hide evidence of the pretty, trusting girl she used to be. Now her matchmaking employer wants Callie to help find a wife for the one man who sees through her careful facade. 

For his business’s sake, Reese Bennett Jr. plans on making a sensible marriage. Preferably one without the unpredictable emotions that spring to life around Callie. Yet no matter how many candidates she presents to Reese, none compare with the vibrant, intelligent woman who is right under his nose—and quickly invading his heart. 

Sharing my thoughts~
When attorney Reese Bennett Jr.’s client and perpetual matchmaker points out that his law firm would suffer from his continued bachelor status and offers to help find him a suitable bride, he decides to allow her. But when Mrs. Singletary suddenly claims she’s too busy and turns that task over to her companion, Callie Mitchell, his ex-fiance’s sister, he debates withdrawing his permission. 

Docile one moment, bold the next. Plain one day, jaw-droppingly beautiful the next. Boring. Then exciting. Demure and shy. Then confident and determined. Who is Callie Mitchell and why is she hiding under dull shapeless clothes? Intrigued, Reece determines to find out, and accepts Callie’s offer to help him with his bride search.

Callie Mitchell refuses to forgive her past indiscretion over a man and believes that if she dresses plainly, no man will show interest and therefore she couldn’t repeat the mistake. But when gentle, handsome Reece looks past the dowdy dresses and begins to unravel the real Callie, her facade cracks. Her past did not have to define her future. She was a child of God, forgiven and loved…She could either spend the rest of her life feeling shame over her lapse in good judgment, or accept the Lord’s mercy. The past was the past. The future, hers for the taking.

While His Most Suitable Bride was an enjoyable read, I really appreciated the underlying theme of letting go of our past. I struggle with this myself, so I could relate to both Callie and Reese, and understood how their attitudes affected their decisions and relationships. Little gems like this were sprinkled throughout the book:

“Today is a new day, meant to be lived under grace.” ~Pastor Beau

“One must never focus on the ending when the story has yet to fully begin.” ~Mrs. Singletary

Whether you’re looking for a book to curl up with for a long evening, during a carpool line, or to take on vacation, you’ll want to include His Most Suitable Bride!

Disclaimer: Sending a big thank you to Harlequin Love Inspired Historical and NetGalley for allowing me the privilege of reviewing His Most Suitable Bride and for the free copy I received in exchange for my fair and unbiased review. This opinion is my own, and I received no compensation.

PURE Amore…Sweet Romance, Pure Enjoyment ™

/ Dora Hiers / 2 Comments

PURE…the new sexy! 

Last week I introduced you to Pelican Book Group‘s newest line, Pure Amore, sweet, hope-filled romances that will leave you “satisfied and smiling.” Featuring heroes and heroines between the ages of 21-33, never married and one or both a virgin, the stories center around two flawed individuals seeking to honor God in all areas of their lives, especially in ways society doesn’t often understand or value. They top out at 45k words, petite little gems bursting with emotional and romantic depth. 


Available by subscription, Pure Amore will release one delicious romance per month in e-book, paperback, or a paperback/e-book combination for one year beginning October 1, 2014. Fill your tall glass to the brim with some iced tea and enjoy  Date Night and Then and Now by uber talented Marianne Evans. 

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Date Night
Ethan Miller’s family has done…what?
His profile is plastered on MingleInFaith.com. Now, this career-focused, happy-to-be-a-bachelor is forced to endure an episode of speed-dating. 

Interior designer Natalie Gibbs is on the dating circuit, eager to find “the one,” but she has strict rules about the manner in which she’ll embrace a romantic relationship. She wasn’t even supposed to meet Ethan Miller—but God had other plans.

Ethan spends a month each year in Honduras, offering eye care to the underprivileged. He senses a sweetness to Natalie that prompts him to invite her along on the next mission trip.

The voyage leads them far from New York City, but straight into the hearts of the Honduran people.

Slowly, Ethan’s heart is swayed toward the idea of love. But Natalie’s mission work teaches her about a love that reaches far beyond romance.

What’s God’s plan? Should their hearts combine—or does He want them to serve…and learn…from one another—and an extraordinary date night?

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Then and Now
Aiden Balfour has always craved stability, independence and security. He’s led a rocky life but always treasured his summers in Northern Michigan with his best summertime friend, Olivia Masters.

Olivia is dedicated to preserving the life she’s known and has always treasured at her grandparent’s home high on a bluff overlooking the pristine waters of Avalon. With their blessing, she’s turned the expansive piece of property into a quaint, restful bed and breakfast.

But developers are circling—and they’re led by none other than Aiden Balfour. Now an ambitious businessman, he’s determined to turn the lake into a tourist mecca. Olivia is equally determined to stop him…no matter what his hold on her heart.

Can the innocent joy and love of their youth be reclaimed? Can then…and now…ever be reconciled to a future overflowing with love and hope?


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Yowzee! Did you enjoy these back cover blurbs? Here’s the link to subscribe. Come back next week to check out At First Sight and Jingle Belle by the lovely Delia Latham.